washbtjrn



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. H. WASHBURN.

AUTOMATIC STEERING APPARATUS.

No. 313,901. i Patented Mar. 17,1885.

@UX A11/MQ m.

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2. C. H. WASHBURN. AUTOMATIC STEERINGAPPARATUS.

Patented Mar. 17, 1885.

ATLESSEE -3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)-

o. H@ WASHBURN.

AUTOMATIC STEERING APPARATUS.

Patented Mar. 17, 1885.

Pla-313,901.

Witne'as es UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES 'H. VASHBURN, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC STEERING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming pari'. of Letters Patent No. 313,901, dated March 17, 1885.

Application filed July 21,1884. (No model.)

To all whbm it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. WASH- BURN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newr York, inthe county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Steering Apparatus, of which the following is a speciiication. v 1

My invention rclatesespec-ially to means and 4mechanism for operating the rudder .upon vessels, and has for its object the provision of an apparatus cheap and simple to construct,

easy to use, and which shall be instantaneous,

e'ective, and certain in operation.

To attain the desired end my invention consists, essentially, in the combination, with a cylinder having communication with a comprcssed air supply, a piston playing in said cylinder operating the tller-wheel chains, of a main rotary valve of peculiar construction, by which the air-supply to the cylinder is regulated. This main valve is adapted and ar ranged to be operated b'y an auxiliary cylinder and valve, regulated by electro-magnets, said magnets being actuated by a current controlled by the movement of the needle of a mariners compass. This compass consists o f the ordinary `bowl supported in the usual manner, and containing a balanced card. Supported above the cardis a rocking-bar, propcri y insulated, and having an a'rm extendinghorizontally from cach side. Depending from each arm is a swinging rod, having a flexible termination formed of links. Secured to the supporting-frame, at each side-thereof beneath the said links, are curved plates. The said plates? and rocking bar are electrically connected with the above-mentioned magnets for operating the auxiliary valve, a suitable battery being located in said circuit. In addition to the main automatic valve operated by the auxiliary valvecy1inder, and the compass, a second valve, placed inthe air-supply to the cylinder, is so arranged as to be opera-ted by.

` means ot' electro-magnets, the circuits thereof being controlled bythe movement of the wheel in the pilot-house, or by a hand device upon the bridge. when the automatic device is in operation the circuit of the handdevices will be broken, and when either of the hand devices is in 'pilot-house.

Said circuits are so arranged that use the automatic circuit will be broken; and my invention also involves certain other novel and useful combinations or arrangements of parts, and peculiarities of construction and operation, all of which will be hereinafter first fully described, and thenpointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure1 is a plan and partial section of the pneumatic cylinder and the valves for controlling the movement of the piston actuating the tiller-wheel chains. Fig. 2 isa View in elevation of my improved valveshell, the valve-blade being indicated by the dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a plan view' of my improved mariners compass. Fig. 4. is a vertical sectionalview thereof at linex of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective View of the rocking bar and supporting-frame forming a part ot' the mechanism of the compass. Fig. 6 is a View in elevation of the wheel in the Fig. 7 is aplan view of the handsteering device placed upon the bridge. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the low-pressure alarm attached to the colmpressed-air reservoir, forming a part of my system. Fig. 9 is a view in elevation of a telltale compass made in accordance with my invention, and placed in the captains cabin. Fig. 1,0 is a plan view of a portion of the deck of a vessel whereon my apparatus is employed, the location and arrangement of the various parts of thedevice' being clearly indicated.

Like numerals of reference, wherever they occur, indicate corresponding partsin all the figures.

1 .is a metallic cylinder of the requisite length, wherein plays a piston, 2, having a double rod, 3, extending through a stuffingbox, 4, in each head ot" the cylinder. This piston is designed to be actuated by compressed air. The ports 5 are placed at each extremity of the cylinder in the usual manner, but at the bottom side thereof, so that any foreign substance iinding its way into the cylinder will be carried therefrom as soon as the exhaust at that side of the piston is in operation.' The extremities of the 'piston-rods are united to the tiller-wheel chains 6, which pass aroundl suitable sheaves, 7, to the quadrant-wheel 8, secured to the rudder-head, as plainly indicated in Fig. l0.

IOO

9 is an air-supply pipe leading from a reservoir, 10, the air being carried thereto from a compressor, 11. (Indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 10.) The exhaust 12 is carried from the valves to 'the stolze-hole, or any point inmay be destem 15 at top,and a continuation, 16, thereofI at bottom. Stem 15 passes through asuitable stulingb'ox, 17, and bears an operatinglevcr, 18. 19 are the pipes leading from the valveshell to the cylinder-ports.- to each side of thel lever 18 are chains 20, which engage with rods 21, bearing buttons or stops 22. 23 are springs coiledaround rods 21. By this construction; when the lever is thrown to the right or left, the spring upon the opposite side will be compressed, permitting the chain to drop. The button or stop at the extremity of the released chain prevents the action oft-he Ispring thereto attached, and thus the tendency of the spring is to al; ways return the valve to the position indicated in Fig. l, when no pressureis exerted 'upon lever 18. I

lever 18 of the main automatic valve. The auxiliary valve is constructed as before explained, with the exeeptionof one extremity lof the blade. 1n this said valve the extremity of the blade 14, next to the exhaust-port, is .cut away on each side at an angle one-third of its thickness,v asindicatedy in Fig. 1. The 4o operatinglever 18 of the auxiliary valve is so l arranged as to be acted upon by electro-magnets 27 and 28,' the tendency of the springs 23 being to maintain it normally in a central p05 sitiou between the magnets. connected with one pole of a battery, 3l, and couductors'30 to the other pole.- These circuits are arranged to be automatically made and broken by means `of my improved conipass attachment. 5o In the compass 32 is thebowl, supported in the usual manner. Upon the inner side ofthe rim of the bowl is formed a circumferential sleeve, groove, or channel, 33, wherein is supported an annular toothed plate, 34.

is a gear-wheel of the bowl, the shaft 37',whereon said wheel 1s mounted,being provided with an operatin gbutton, 36.

38 is the compasscard balaneedin the usual 6c manner upon a pin, 39, extending from the bottoni of the bowl. Y 40 is a frame attached to plate 34. 41 is a rocking bar supported in bearings 42, made of laga-le or similar material, a set- 6 5 screw, 43, regulating the-pressure of said bearings. p

Extending from bar 41 are arms'44 and 5 5,

Attached p Fig. 1, the rudder is held at"steady. 24 1s an auxiliary cylinder wherein playsa direction it is desired to steer being deteri piston, 25, the rod 26 thereof engaging` withan extension pivoted thereto and to the valve- Conductor 29 is journaled upon the rimeaeh of said arms supportinga suspended rod, 45, provided at its lower extremity with several links, 46.

A vertical pin, 47, made of/insulating ma terial, extends from bar 41 to card 38, and throughl a perforation, 48, therein, and a rigid Vertical bar, 49,made of insulating material, extends from frame 40 through a slot, 50, in said card. s

51 are curved conducting-plates adjustably supported beneath frame '40, electrically insulated therefrom. The conductors of the circuits of the magnets 27 and 28 are one to each plate 51, and the other to the rocking bar 41,

pass, said conductors being properly insulated from each other and passing around the interior ofthe howl, as indicated in Fig. 4.

52 is a pin attached `.to plate 34, extending downward between the ed'ge of the bowl and the compass-card. ,53 is a second pin extending horizontallyfrom asliding strip,54, mounted upon the interior ofthe bowl, as shown in Fig. 4. i

' \Vhen constructed and arranged in accordance with -the above deseription,the operation of my automatic device is as follows: \Vitli the Various parts in the position shown in The mined,the needle of the automatic compass is set in the proper positionV by-'turning plate 34 to the right or left, the compass-card being carried around by the bar 49, extending through the slot 50'therein, and when the v'es sel is on the desired course the mechanism upon the compass should bein such a position as is shown in Fig. 3, bar 49 occupying the center of slot 50.- rShouldthevessel fall ott' to starboard the card 38 will remain stationary, but as the. bowl is turned to the right the pin 47 will cause the rocking bar to partially revolve, depressing the arm 55, dropping pendant 46 againsttheeurved platetherebeneat/h,completing the circuitto magnet 27. drawing the lever ofthe auxiliary Valve to the right. instantly .through a perforation in the bowl ofthe com- IOO IIO

openingsaid valve and permitting the com pressed air to .force piston 24 to the right, opening the main automat-ic valve, admitting air to the port side of the main/cylinder, porting the helm. The instant the vessel answers the rudder and returns to her course the .eontact between the ilexible pendant and the plate 51 upon the compass will be broken by the` return of the card, toits normal position, bringing the arms upon thel rocking bar up horizontally, breaking the magnet-circuit. The springs upon the lever of the auxiliary valve instantly center theblade, and the air exhausts from cylinder 24.

By beveli'ng the blade at the exhaust-port, as before explained, the valve willexhaust with great rapidity, as when said blade is turned so as to `eloserthe supply-port the lexhaust-port is one-third open in cach direction, and is wide openwhen the s upply-portis but i two-thirds open. Thus' there is no resistance 'the auxiliary cylinder,

offered to the instant action of the piston of l and such action is rendered unmedlatc. Asthe auxiliary valve and piston return to their normal position, the springs upon the main automatic valve will instantly center the blade, locking the pistonhead of the main cylinder in whatever position it may have attained. v

Should the vessel fall o toport, the circuit ofi-magnet 28 will be closed, and the abovedescribed operation will bey repeated, but opening the valyes in the opposite direction, bringing therudder to starboard.

The plate 34 may be turned from'the posi- .tion shown in Fig. 4 around one nearly complete revolution until pin 52 strikes pin 53 upon sllde 54, when said slide will permit the plate to travel about one-half an inch beyond v acompletc circle. By this means every degrec maybe reached by the needle, and danger of twisting or severing the conductingwiresv upon the interior of the -bowl will be obvi'ated, the loop shownl providing for over a full turn of the plate in either direction.

It will be observed that the contact-plates 51 are curved. This curve follows -the periphcry of the circle which is made by theex- .trcmities of the arms upon the rocking' bar and the pendants therefrom.

Consequently,

lno matter how far the pendant maytravel '-'Idown the plate, the contact will remain the same between said pendant and plate, and the advantages of a sliding frictional contact are Aobtained and the balance of the rocking bar maintained, reaction upon the compass-card being prevented.

kThe compasscard, when set, can turn only so--fa-r as is' permitted by the bar 49, extending through slot 50. Consequently, the pin 47, extending from the rocking bar, can never be withdrawn from the card, and all danger of disarrangement of the mechanism of the device is obviated. vThat portion of the said mechanism supported above the card, operated by the deflections of the needle, requires so little power to move it that the-resistance does not retard the movement of the needle in an appreciablc degree.

In addition to the main automatic valve for,` 'operating the main cylinder o f my apparatus, a second valve, preferably located .upon the opposite side of the cylinder, is em ploycd, the same being fully illustrated in Fig. 1. The Valve and shell are constructed and arranged as ,before described; but, instead of the lever 18, a toot-hed wheel, 56, is secured to the valvestem. Pivoted to the valve-stem is a bar or rod, 57, the free extremity lthereof extending between two electro-magnets, 58 and 59. Proj ecting from bar 57, at anl angle upon each side, ae'two adjustable pawls, 60, pivoted to saidbar at 6 1, the angle of divergence of the pawls being regulated by set-screws 62,'spr1`ngs 63 forcing` said pawls against the teeth upon` V wheel 56. Rod or bar 57 engages with chains `rnainvalve is-ol-osed. Ailxed to the wheel are a series of projections, 68, or an uneven surface,said projections corresponding in number to the teeth upon valve-wheel 56. Pivoted bclow'said series of projections isa bifurcated lever, .69, said lever being electrically connected with conductor 64 and normally held in an upright position by springs 92. are springs secured in such a position that the arms of lever 69 may press againstone or the other when thrown to the right or left. `Springs 70 are in electrical connection with conductors 65. 71 and 72 arc `insulated metallic springs electrically connected with the conductor ofthe automatic circuit,- said circuit being through contact-points 73. Spring 72 extends to va notch, 74, upon the wheel. An elongated button, 75, is placed between springs 71 and 72,

as shown, for the purpose of breaking the connection therebetween, and maintaining the break when required.

When it is desired to control the rudder from the pilot-house, by turning the wheel to the right or left the point of the spring 72 will be depressed, breaking the automatic circuit ofthe auxiliary-valve magnets. Thelever 69 will be thrown to the right or left by the proj ections68, completing the circuit of either magnetv 58 or 59, as may bc required. Each electric impulse will turn wheel 56 one notch, and by turning wheel 66 one-eighth of a revolution thenecessary number of impulses will be given to open thevalve wide,l putting the helln hard down. As each projection completes the circuit and. turns the wheel 56 one notch, the rudder may be readily placedV in any position.` By turning lthe wheel back to the position` shown in the gure the piston `will be locked in position and the automat-ic circuit resumes operation, as will be readily understood. Y

If it is desired to cut out th'e automatic circuit for 'a period of time, contact between springs 71 and 72 may be permanently broken by means ot' button 75.

76 is a hand device located upon the bridge or other preferred part otlthe vessel for operating the steering apparatus, the electric circuit thereof being the same as that next above described.

-In addition to the mechanism for breaking the, automatic circuit, the circuit of wheel 66 is cut out bymcans of springs 77 and 78. Conductor 64 leads from thelever 69 to spring 77, and spring 78 is supported above spring 72, and. is arranged to be operated thereby, but is insulated therefrom. When the hand device 76 -is turned, spring 72 is raised by the forcing of its point from the notch 7 4, breaking both connections, or by turning the button the same result will be obtained. The' operation of this device in connection with the hand-valve is independent of both the IOO IIO

wheel in the pilot-house and the automatic l The ship is under the instant control of the device, and neither of these can be used while the hand device is in use. This will enable the officer uponlt-he bridge to assume control of the ship instanter, whenever occasion may require.

lf desired, suitable valves may be located in each of the air-pipes 19, connectedywith the cylinder, in order to shut, off either of the valves connected therewith, if desired.

I have fou-nd it necessarythatl the air-pressu re should not vary'. The hi gh-pressurc degree is regulated by the compressor upon theV wellknown principle; but to guard against the pressure falling too low, I have designed an- Aalarm for use in connection with my apparar tus, the same being shown in Fig. 8. 79 is a valve-shell screwed into the air-tankv 10. t The valve 80 is providedv with a stem, 81, which extends through a chamber, 82, uponthe top of the valve. A spring, 83, regulated by a n'ut,

84, governs the pressure at which the valve will fall. is a packing-ring encircling the valve-stem within box 82. When in the position shown in Fig. 8, this ring rests against the top of the box; but when pressure upon the Valve is removed, it rests upon thebottom of said box, preventing an undue escape of air. 86 and 87 are insulated contact-points electrically connected with an alarm-bell, 88, located in the engine-room. When the pressnre in the reservoir falls below the predetermined standard, the valve drops, completing the circuit of bell 88, notifying Ythe engineer to increase the pressure, and as it rises to the desired point the circuit plainly shown.' Y

Fig. 9 shows a compass constructed in aecordance with my invention, as. above described, which is placed in the captains cabin to act asa tell-tale. Instead ofbeing located in the steering-circuit it has electrical connection with an alarm-bell, v89. It is covered by a transparent canopy, 90. Vhen the au-l tomatic compassis set upon the proper con rse, the tell-tale is set to tally therewith, but permits a deviation slightly in excess of that lof the compass controlling the steering-circuit.` In case of variation -beyond the p oint described the bell-circuit will be closed, notifying t-he captain of such deviation.

The advantages' of my improved apparatus.

' of the above, is located upon the bridge. By

my 'arrangement only one of the systems can be operated atatime. The mechanism i's simple, not liable to get out of order, and silent in operation. By my peculiar arrangement' of the compass the current of electricity employed therewith will not afect'the needle.

will be broken, as' buttons, substantially as shown and described.

room and Ythe tell-tale in the captains cabin providing amply for the safety oflife and property. in any emergency that may arise,- and time is economized in the-voyage, and t-he disagreeable and unreliable features of other systems of steering now extant are dispensed with.

I am aware of the existence of Patent No.

198,126, issued December 11, 1877, to Lay,

and that to Ballard, No.' 107,326, dated September 13, 1870, for boat-steering appliances, and to the construction of the devices therein shown and described I make vno claim.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In asteering apparatus, the combination, with a pneumatic cylinder wherein is located a piston the rods whereof control the movement ofthe rudder, of a main valve the blade whereof is actuated by an auxiliary piston, cylinder, and valve electrically controlled, substantially as shown and described. 2. The combination, .with a rotary valve of the character herein specified, of Aa self cen-y tering and locking device consisting of a flexible cord or chain engaging with the operating-lever of the valve and with springs each side thereof, substantially as shown and described.

3. The herein-described self-centering device for rotaryivalves, consisting-of iiexibl'e cords or chains engaging with the operatinglever and .with controlling-springs, the actionof .said springs being controlled by `stops or 4. In an electrical steering'deviceof the character herein specified, a four-way valve provided` with a self-centering valve-blade, whereby the piston controlling the movement of the rudder may be lockedA in place, substantially as shown and described.

land for the uses and purposes'shown and described.

6. In an electric steering apparatus of the character herein specified, the combination of the .main valve;cylinder, and piston controlling the movement of the rudder, with an auxiliary cylinder 'and electrically controlled valve the blade whereof is cutaway, substantially as set forth. Y

i'. Ina steering apparatus of the character herein specified, the combination,with a main cylinderV and a piston operated by a main yalve, auxiliary piston, cylinder, and auxil` lary valve, ot" electro-magnets, the circuits whereof are controlled by a co1npass,'substan t-ially as shown and described. f f

8. 'In a compass, the combination,l with the chief oiiiceron duty, the alarm in the enginebowl and pivoted card, of a movable frame,

supported thereabove and carrying a rocking bar adapted and arranged to close either of two electric circuits, as set forth.

9. The combination, with the bowl of aV compass, of a circumferential channel where in is supported la movable plate bearing a frame extending over the card of the compass, said frame supporting a rocking bar provided with arms adapted and arranged to make or break one or more electric circuits, substantially as shown and described.

10. The combination, witha rocking bar, of arms projecting therefrom and a vertical pin engaging with the compass-card therebeneath said arms supporting pendants adapted and arranged to make electrical connection with curved conducting-plates supported therebeneath, substantially as shown and described.

11. In a mariners compass of the character herein specified, the combination, with the depressible pendants, of the insulated curved metal plates therebeneath, said pendants and plates forming a circuit-maker, substantially as shown and described.

12. In a compass of the character herein specified, the combination, with an annular toothed plate, of an arm projecting downward therefrom and a sliding stoptherefor, substantially as shown and described.

13. Ina compass, the combination, with the card, slotted as described, of a bar extending through the slot and carried by an adjust-able frame, whereby disarrangement of the parts is prevented, substantially as s et forth.

14. A compass adapted and arranged to open or close'one or more electric circuits by, the deflection o f the needle, said compass consisting of a bowl, 32, bearing a circumferentia' channel, 33, wherein is located a rotatable testbed plate, 34, supporting a frame, 40, wherein is a rocking shaft, 41, having arms 44 and 54, bearing pendants 46, curved insulated plat-cs 51 being supported beneath said pendy ants, as set forth, a vertical bar, 47, extend* ing through a perforation, 48, in a balanced card, 38, andavcrtical pin or bar, 49, extending from frame 40 through a slot, 50, in said card, the whole arranged to operate substantially as set forth. Y

15. In a steering apparatus, the combination, with the main cylinder, of a rotary valve bearing a toothed wheel upon its stem, the movements of said valve being governed by pawls engaging with the teeth upon said wheel,

said pawls being'actuated by electro-magnets, the circuits whereof are controlled from a hand device upon the bridge or in the pilot-house, substantially as shown and described. Y,

16. The combination, with a valve of the character herein specified, of a toothed wheel, 56, mounted upon the `stem thereof, bar 57, pawls 60, chains or cords, 20, springs 23, and electro-magnets 58 and 59, substantially as shown and described.

17. The-'combination,with the circuits of the electro-magnets adapted and arranged to regulate the position of a rotary valve, of a bifurcated lever having electrical connection with one conductor, and one or more pins or proj ections mounted upon awheel or frame adapted and arranged to close either of said circuits, substantially as shown and described.

18. In an apparatus ot' the character herein specified, the combination, with amain valve, of a circuit-making lever or wheel and circuitconnectious, as described, the whole adapted and arranged to open said valve, driving a piston in one direction when moved, the return movement of said lever or wheel locking the piston in place, substantially asset forth.

19. The combination, in an apparatus of the character herein specificd, of a hand apparatus, 7G, with a cut-out for the automatic circuit and for the circuit t0 a wheel, 67', sub st-antially as set forth.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 19th day of July, A. D. 1884.

' CHARLES II. WASHBURX.

lVitnesses:

AVM. PIERCE, A. C. DUNN. 

